We went into the most spare

Looking church with

Rendered concrete walls

But the peace spoke to us both

Suspended from the ceiling

Above the sanctuary

Were three figures

Jesus crucified

Mary on his right

And ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’

On his left

What floored me was

The shadow of the cross

Since the sanctuary wall

Was not flat

But in sections such that

The shadowy arms of the cross

Look upraised in

A gesture of embrace

And blessing

This juncture of

Creativity and theology

Emphasises the bonds of relationship

And hope

And redemption

Precisely when humans

Would give up

Our God

Our salvation

Is in community

Sitting, overlooking a view

That no photo can do justice

I’m struck by a deep sense

Of peace and gratitude.

The honesty, integrity and hospitality

Of our hosts

Is a vital ingredient

That puts us at our ease

And helps to open our hearts

To drink deeply

Of the idyllic panorama

And feel at peace

Creation is alive riotously

In this place.

An enormous liquid amber

Whose boughs

Dip into the river

Like fingers from a green hand.

The river flows past ever present and changing.

Ducks of various types

Doing their thing –

From scavenging scraps

To attempted flight.

Other birds

Singing, chirping

Their joy

In late spring.

Humans amble past

Some sit and chat

Others, like me,

Drink in the peaceful wonder

And I thank the creator

For this everyday salve

For life’s cares

We went to the Fraumunster

In Zurich

To see Marc Chagall’s

Stained glass windows.

They were wondrous, luminous

But the 1250 year history

Of worship

At this place

Was stunning.

The crypt pointed

To its 9^thcentury founding

As did the mural of the original abbesses

On the wall of the transept.

But I was moved to tears

By Mary’s chapel.

Not by its grandeur

But by its peace

Which cracked open

My heart

Walled in by fear and control

The spell was broken

By other visitors

My desire to stay there physically

Can be slaked

By a heart

Opened by contemplation

To acting out of love.

Doing so will be the trick

Brian Doyle’s ability to describe a situation so well that you are there emphasised his incarnational sense of the world: God, grace are everywhere. This resonated powerfully with me. This is why, despite the Pacific Ocean, I felt such a strong connection with him – and such a loss at his passing. When I have completed this portion of my grieving I hope to again be inspired and consoled by his writing with its ability to glimpse God at work in every facet of our lives.

Baby with her parents

Eyes wide

Soaking it all in

Happy

Smiling at everyone

Secure in love

From her parents

Which gives her the freedom

To grow

And absorb all around

With eyes of wonder

Reminding us to do likewise

And savour God’s handiwork

Beginning leave, I am filled with a sense of gratitude which inspired this

Where does it begin?

Community puts down roots

In the hearts of each

It’s leaves and branches

Spring forth

In word and deed

Animated

By the richly poor man

From Assisi

Based in faith

Of the richly poor man

From Nazareth

From the young

And the less so

Comes

The encouraging word

Plenty of smiling ‘hellos’

Support in time of need

Praise for effort

Supportive challenge

Loving correction

Laughs and jokes

Thought-provoking questions

Reflection and prayer

Such caring expressions

Bind us together

And so we become what we believe

God islove

Loving God, we thank you for the gift that is the Ave Maria community. As much as we are supported by it may we do all we can to build it up and so continue to learn that it is in giving that we receive.

About to begin

A time of leave

f you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’ (Luke 11:13)

The Holy Spirit guides us into the truth (John 16:13) about ourselves, about others, about life. Part of that truth is coming to understand more fully who I am and my giftedness. The Holy Spirit also sustains us through the difficult times that come. The Holy Spirit is an extraordinary gift – and all we have to do is ask! Such is the love from our God who loved each of us into being.

In this Easter time, I come to realise that living life to the full is not a project I can achieve alone. It is through prayer and reflection that I grow in self-knowledge – and grow in my understanding of my limitations and thus my need of support – of the strongest kind! The Holy Spirit will guide me to see the gifts God has placed in me and help me to use them to build community.

I’ll be on leave for a few weeks – so I’ll catch you later!

Wishing you peace and all good

Patrick

Do not fear, only believe. (Mark 5:36)

In this passage Jesus raises the girl from the dead. There are many facets to this story but one view is that in telling them ‘do not fear’, Jesus is saying to them ‘do not look on the surface’. Believing gives us a broader, deeper vision; seeing things as they might be – not just as they are. Believing in this way gives us the grace and strength to deal with difficulties, seeing the situation and people as they might be – living in justice and right relationships.

Fear can hold us back in many ways. For the young people in our care, fear might hold them back from exploring their gifts, trying new experiences or from believing in themselves. Seeing the world and themselves as they might be – as God made them to be – allows them to make their contribution, including overcoming unjust situations. Seeing the good in themselves also allows them to see the good in others, sometimes hidden, and so grow in compassion. These are all important factors in living life to the full.

Have a great week!

Patrick